Hebrew too. Thus, according to Oxford’s
James Barr, the heads of Hebrew departments at world-leading universities are
unanimous in stating that Genesis can
mean only earth-rotation days.
Dr. Nelson’s “serious errors” comment I commend the classic Sarfati book
appears to arise from things he has inad- Refuting Compromise to Mr. Nelson (
avail-vertently read into my article. able at www.CreationOn The Web.org store
Despite the difficulties of old-earthism, section). Written as a rebuttal to Rossism, it is
such as pre-Fall death and cancer, I a devastating defense of straightforward
nowhere suggested that all “old-earth Genesis (utilizing the time-honored historical-Christians” deliberately reject God’s Word. grammatical hermeneutic)—from both the
Historically, the “slow and gradual” scientific and theological/philosophical
philosophy of the anti-Christian Lyell, perspectives. It also documents how, despite
motivated by his rejection of the global contrary claims on the website he references,
Flood catastrophe, led to geology’s recent creation is the church’s overwhelmingly
“millions of years.” This does not mean consistent position through most of its history.
that Christians misled by this consciously
oppose Scripture.
Nor, by stating another historical fact,
that the “millions of years” paved the way
for Darwinism, do I imply that all old-earthers embrace Darwinism.
Nelson’s claim that “all credentialed
scientists” accept old-earthism is simply
astonishing. For decades, each issue of our
Creation magazine has featured an interview
with a qualified scientist holding to a recent
creation—including world-class experts such
as geophysicist Dr. John Baumgardner.
I agree with Dr. Nelson about scientific
observation, not “mystical illusion.” But for
him to suggest that scientific facts “speak
for themselves,” or that their interpretation
is uninfluenced by the presuppositions of
the ruling paradigm, would contradict most
modern science philosophers.
Along with other Hugh Ross sympathizers, Dr. Nelson utilizes the truism that
a “millions of years” creation day is a
“literal” meaning of the Hebrew “yom.”
However, this is like saying that, because
one literal meaning for the English word
“day” is an indefinite period of time, therefore “it took them six days to fix my car”
can refer to an unspecified repair time.
one of those written by Dr. Hugh Ross
( www.reasons.org).
Thank you.
—David S. Nelson, Ph.D.
David.nelson@alumni.usc.edu
Editor’s Note: Due to space constraints
we are not including the Readers Helping
Readers or Your Voice sections this issue,
but they will be back in the Winter issue
and will be lengthier than normal. Have a
question you want answered? Email emar-lowe@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com.
Dr. Carl Wieland, Managing Director
Creation Ministries International Ltd.
(Australia) www.CreationOn The Web.com
